A Trio of Healthy After-School Snacks

After-School Snacks-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Click here for more recipes from Mr. Food ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kids are always hungry after school, and junk food shouldn't be what kids reach for when they're looking for a snack. Want some better choices?

Whip up this fast shake ? with these flavors or your choice of frozen yogurt and sherbet.

ORANGE DREAM SHAKE

1 serving

1/4 cup orange sherbet

1/4 cup frozen vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup low-fat milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a blender jar, cover, and blend until smooth.

It's fun to layer this good-for-'em fruit parfait, so let the kids help ... and you can use their choice of fruit and yogurt!

BLUEBERRY PARFAIT

1 serving

1/4 cup blueberries

1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt

2 squares cinnamon graham crackers, crushed

Spoon 2 tablespoons blueberries into a dessert cup. Top with 2 tablespoons yogurt. Sprinkle with half the crushed crackers.

Repeat layers.

Remember how you loved baked apples as a kid? Well, now the microwave helps us make short work of baking these healthy babies!

MICROWAVE STUFFED "BAKED" APPLES

2 servings

2 Red Delicious or McIntosh apples, peeled halfway from top and cored

1/4 cup low-fat granola cereal

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Place apples in a 1-quart microwave-safe baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap, loosening one corner to vent. Microwave on high 2 minutes.

Combine cereal, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stuff into cored apple cavities, filling to the top. Cover with plastic wrap, loosening one corner to vent. Microwave on high 2 minutes, or until apples are soft. Let sit 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Ditch the junk food routine, 'cause there's a healthier way to satisfy your kid's sweet tooth. And I bet you'll be reaching for one of these snacks, too, 'cause ...